1. First up: A pair of heat-resistant gloves with silicone bumps to protect your hands when using any heat styling tools. Safety comes first, especially when you're just getting the hang of it (and even after you’ve mastered them)!

2. The Beachwaver Co. rotating curling iron is famously simple to use. Even seasoned pros (like myself) have switched to this one (yes, me too). If you can clamp a hair section and press a button, you’ve got this. Plus, it comes with a 9-foot swivel cord, making it super easy to maneuver.

3. If you’ve avoided curling irons because of the challenge of styling your long hair, the Bio Ionic Long Barrel Styler might be your perfect match. Its barrel is 2 inches longer than typical curling irons, making styling longer locks much easier.

4. A Revlon hot air brush allows you to dry and style your hair with far less effort than traditional methods. Simply rough dry your hair and then use the brush to achieve a blowout that will make it look like you had a professional dry bar experience. Handling a round brush and blow-dryer at the same time is no easy task.



5. If you like a straighter look but still want to add some volume, the Revlon one-step styler and dryer is the perfect tool for you.


6. Bellissima Italia Diffon Supreme Diffuser & Curly Hair Dryer is possibly the biggest at-home diffuser I’ve come across, perfect for curly-haired folks who love their natural texture but find the drying process a bit of a hassle. Sometimes, air-drying for hours just isn’t an option!


7. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly way to style your hair, this blow-dryer diffuser attachment could be the solution. It transforms your regular blow-dryer into a tool that creates gorgeous curls, thanks to drying vents and 360-degree airflow that evenly diffuses curls. It might even change the way you feel about blow-drying! Maybe.



8. Goody hair spin pins do all the hard work when it comes to creating the *perfect* bun. Simply gather your hair into a ponytail, wrap it around the base, and secure it with one pin on top and one on the bottom of the bun.


9. Dyson Airwrap multistyler has practically achieved legendary status. If you've been online since its 2018 release, you've probably seen countless demos. And for good reason! This multitool truly works wonders.

For a detailed look, check out my comprehensive review of the Dyson Airwrap's first model, where I dive into all the details. Since its 2018 debut, Dyson has enhanced the original, introducing longer tool attachments that make both drying and styling easier. TL;DR: After practicing a few times, you’ll find it easy to use all the attachments, and it will leave your hair looking shinier and feeling less dry compared to traditional heat styling methods like flat irons and curling irons. Just be sure to rough dry your hair before using the attachments. It’s a significant investment, but if you're like me and spend a lot of time heat styling, it may be worth it.
Get it from Sephora (one color option) or Dyson (four color options) for $599
10. Another recent release: the Dyson Airstrait, which dries *and* straightens your hair at the same time—without the hot plates typical of regular straighteners. As you might expect from Dyson’s innovative technology, it uses airflow to straighten without the risk of drying out your hair. If you’re someone who blow-dries *and* flat irons your hair, this could be your new dream tool.


My colleague Heather Braga owns and adores it:
"I had the chance to try the Dyson Airstrait, and OMG, it’s incredible! I refer to it as 'tech' rather than just a beauty tool because it’s both, but the tech side was so impressive from the start. I actually had to pick the language for MY STRAIGHTENER using an LCD screen... crazy. Anyway! The Airstrait can straighten both wet and dry hair — without using those damaging hot plates. It works with directional airflow to smooth and straighten your hair, and honestly, it’s like a magic trick. The most challenging part for me was figuring out that the copper parts (where the fan lives) need to face outward so you don’t blow your hair around. The fan speeds up when you clamp the Airstrait around your hair (HOW DOES IT KNOW!?), and it completely stops when you set it down (as shown in the GIF to the left). Also, as a mom with a toddler, time is precious. This gadget got my hair from wet, straight-out-of-the-shower to naturally straight in just 10 minutes! It’s a total game-changer for me!!! Absolutely worth the investment. Add it to your holiday wishlist, or just get it now."
Get it from Sephora for $499.
11. A heatless curling rod headband that you simply wrap your *damp* hair in before bed and then unravel in the morning to get those bouncy, '90s supermodel-style curls. Did you just get a Pepsi commercial gig?!


12. If you're looking for more curly options, these curling rods have glowing reviews from people with 3b–4c hair. For the best results, use them on damp hair!


13. A curling bar tells you when your hair is ready to be released by vibrating. Forget counting to 15 seconds – this is the new way!


14. The Wet Brush Thick Hair Original Detangler works wonders on stubborn hair, potentially preventing the pain and hair breakage you’ve experienced with other brushes.

15. If you're in need of a versatile tool for all hair types, the Crave Naturals Detangling Brush effortlessly glides through your hair without causing breakage or tangling. Say goodbye to knots!


16. An ultra-fine continuous water mister is perfect for reviving your hair in the morning after you've slept on it. Get one more day of your curly style before your next wash. Sometimes, all you need is a little spray, no shampoo or full styling session required to perfect your look for the day.


17. Bed Head Wave Artist features a DEEP barrel to finally achieve voluminous beach waves from roots to ends. With its 400-degree heat, those waves are guaranteed to stay put.


18. The Fyne Comb features a bamboo wide-tooth design specifically crafted to *gently* detangle fine hair.

Fully Fyne was founded by Gina Elmanasterly, a 27-year-old entrepreneur, with the goal of empowering people with fine hair. Every product in the brand is specifically crafted to meet the delicate needs of fine hair.
Available for purchase at Fully Fyne for $16.
19. The Denman hairbrush is designed with evenly spaced bristles to gently detangle and define your curls, especially if your regular brush doesn’t work well with your curly texture.


20. The Chi Spin N Curl takes all the guesswork out of curling your hair. Simply place your hair into the device, and it does the twisting and curling for you.


21. A 2-in-1 hair bun maker lets you create the perfect ballerina bun with ease. If you use it on damp hair, it will also give you beautiful curls.


Curlinator Designs, a small business located in North Carolina, specializes in creating hair accessories.
Customer review: "I love it!!! I was worried it would be difficult to figure out, but the videos made everything so easy to understand. It’s so much quicker than fixing a bun in the morning!!!" —bld9
Purchase it from Curlinator Designs on Etsy for $12.50 (available in 18 colors).
22. If nothing else works, a set of hair claw clips will keep your hair neatly styled and out of your face! Customers report that they are effective for a variety of hair types.

